The Poet X

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. “Slam poetry,” as defined by the Encyclopedia Britannica, is “a form of performance poetry that combines the elements of performance, writing, competition, and audience participation.” What do you know about this form? Consider the origins of slam poetry and how it compares to more traditional poetic forms. Have you ever heard slam poetry? If so, what do you recall about the performer or the performance?

Teaching Suggestion: In modern times, slam poetry is a genre of poetry (“spoken word”), but it is also an artistic movement. Discuss with students the humble origins of slam poetry in 1980s Chicago, when construction worker and poet Marc Kelly Smith created a weekly gathering—called a “poetry slam”—and invited anyone’s participation. If students are less familiar with examples of slam poems/poets, you can review with them examples found in the links below.

• “12 of the Best Slam Poetry Performances to Leave You in Awe” from Book Riot includes a performance by Elizabeth Acevedo.
• “Best Slam Poetry: 5 Top Works from Master Slam Poets” is another collection from Power Poetry.
• Content Warning: Mature content; some poems may include references to social justice issues, sexuality, identity, violence, and other topics that may not be appropriate for all groups.

2. Have you ever heard the term “Catholic guilt”? For many practicing Catholics (as well as many Catholics who have lapsed in their faith), “Catholic guilt” refers to a guilty feeling that might result from any behavior or thought that puts them at odds with Catholic beliefs and teachings. What do you think it is about Catholicism, when compared to other religions, that makes their experience of guilt so pronounced? How might Catholic guilt affect a person’s life, especially a young adult?

Teaching Suggestion: The theme of Guilt, Shame, and Religion is a major one throughout The Poet X. To help students better understand Xiomara’s relationship to herself, her body, and the world around her, it is key for students to understand the basic tenets of Catholicism and the phenomenon of “Catholic guilt.”

• “Confronting Catholic Guilt” is an opinion piece in Chico State University’s student newspaper.
• “What Is the Difference Between Shame and Guilt?” offers definitions and examples that might aid discussion.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the novel.

Most teenagers go through a period when they strive to find their place in the world—a task that, inevitably, involves separating from their parents to carve out their own place in life. As you moved from early adolescence (12-13 years old) into your older teenage years, how did your relationship with your parents change? Was this a difficult period? What sort of feelings arose during the process of forging a new, more adult relationship with your parents?

Teaching Suggestion: Due to the personal nature of the prompt, this exercise is probably most appropriate as free-writing or reflection homework, as opposed to an in-class discussion. In The Poet X, protagonist Xiomara struggles to create a new relationship with her parents, and that relationship grows more complicated as Xiomara finds meaning in people, places, and things that seem to defy her strict Catholic upbringing. As such, Growing Up and Separating from Parents is a major theme throughout the book.

Differentiation Suggestion: For students who might come from difficult and/or troubled backgrounds, you could modify this prompt so that the question does not ask them to share their personal experiences directly. Instead, you might ask them to offer up their personal reflections on how they think teenagers’ relationships with their parents change, generally speaking, as they move from their early teenage years to their later teenage years. To lay the groundwork for that discussion, you might have students read/watch the following media:

• “Why Teenagers Become ‘Allergic’ to Their Parents” (Subscription may be needed to view)
• “Teens Talk: Relationships with Parents” is a 9-minute video from the Raising Children Network.